Francis Stanley Delia, known to all as Frank, was born in Oswego, NY on August 24, 1946. His father, Espedito (Steve) Delia, had emigrated from Malta when he was 17. He served in World War II and was quick to point out that he was Maltese and not Italian! His mother, Stella, was first generation Polish.
Naturally smart and with a love of learning, Frank graduated high in his class from Oswego Catholic High School in 1964. While there he co-founded a fraternity whose purpose was helping the community and having fun. Attending West Point was a goal, and he and his family were delighted when he received his appointment. Frank’s parents were very proud to have a West Pointer in the family.
His company was D-2 and, as a plebe, he soon discovered he had a knack for upsetting upper classmen. These moments occasionally led to noisy encounters that he would shrug off afterwards with his usual good humor, and walking the Area, of course!
Frank was in the German and Rocket clubs and, like most cadets, loved sports. But what he liked the most was visits from his soon to be fiancée, Doretta, known to most as Ret. Whenever possible, he would return to Oswego to visit her, or Ret would drive to West Point to see him. Fortunately for Frank, his hometown was a short five-hour drive away.
Frank and Ret started dating while she was a freshman and he a sophomore in high school. They married in Oswego, NY on June 15, 1968 and had two children, Brett and Amy Delia. Brett’s wife was affectionately included into the family, as were their two grandchildren, Nicholas Delia and K’myn Pettitt-Delia. Frank’s greatest love was his family.
In March 1968, Frank introduced a USMA ’68 classmate and his best friend, Karl Gustafson (aka Gus), to Ret’s sister, Maggie, because they wanted their best man and maid of honor to meet before their June wedding. Maggie and Gus were married one year later in March 1969. Unfortunately, Gus died from complications of a stroke (brain bleed) on May 25, 2016. The two families stayed very close through the years.
Frank entered Air Defense Artillery upon graduation and was sent to Germany to the 10th Artillery Group. During that time, Frank was awarded a commendation medal. He enjoyed his first assignment, even when suffering the usual indignities bestowed on second lieutenants. But his real desire was to fly, and his dream was recognized when he was accepted to flight school, where he trained for Chinooks. Flight training at Fort Wolters, TX and Fort Rucker, AL, like every other assignment, offered an opportunity for Frank and Ret to quickly bond with other classmates to make wonderful and lasting memories.
Upon graduation, he was sent to the 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company in Vietnam. The Chinook is an unwieldy craft and was the largest target in the sky. Even routine flights were dangerous. Frank never spoke much of his time there but admitted there were many dodgy situations. His usual cool manner and confidence saw him safely home. For his service, he was awarded an Air Medal.
Frank seemed to have a natural talent to perform at the highest levels in academia. He breezed through basic and advanced courses all the while keeping a wicked sense of humor. He was quick with a joke and was known for entertaining “the troops” when the course work got too boring.
After the advanced course at Fort Bliss, TX, Frank attended Stanford, where he received two master’s degrees, one in aeronautical engineering and the other in engineering economics.
He had a longstanding interest and aptitude for history and government (he scored 100 percent on his New York State Regency history exam.) So, in 1977, after being discharged from the Army, it was not surprising that Frank headed to law school. He attended UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, CA.
It wasn’t easy being an “older,” married-with-children law student in the Bay Area. But he excelled. Frank clerked in his second and third year with a patent office in San Francisco before taking a job in 1980 with a large corporate law firm in Portland, OR: Stoel, Rives, Boley, Fraser and Wyse. He practiced there two years before leaving in 1982 to work for Mentor Graphics as their chief legal counsel and later to be named VP and chief legal counsel, followed by VP of Human Resources.
In 1995, Frank attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program. A year later he accepted a position in Bellevue, WA as CEO of Cascade Design Automation (a subsidiary of Oki Electric of Japan). He successfully accomplished his task selling Cascade within two years.
After law school, in 1980, the family settled in Portland, OR. Frank was very involved in his children’s lives, taking turns staying home with a sick child or going to doctor’s appointments. He coached the kids’ soccer teams in their early years, and racquetball became a family sport.
Frank also enjoyed pickup basketball games, working out at the gym, tennis, bike rides, and jogging. He also enjoyed traveling, especially if Ret could join him. He was her biggest cheerleader.
Sadly, Frank died far too young on June 8, 1998 from asymptomatic coronary artery disease. In those mere 51 years, he had touched many lives and accomplished many tasks. All who knew Frank are quick to describe him as a sweet and friendly guy always ready with a wise crack and a great smile. He will be remembered as a good son, brother, father, husband, businessman, lawyer and soldier, and as an example of the best that West Point can produce.